This fiction novel follows Marnie Wittier on a journey back into her past following the death of her sister, and the arrival of her nephew, a special needs child. Its part mystery, part romance. I enjoyed the story as Marnies past merged with her future and she must decide whether God is big enough to trust with her life and heal her hurts. I found myself relating well to the roller-coaster emotions of raising a special needs child: the behaviors and frustrations that make you want to scream followed by the wonder and innocence of such childlike faith & love being offered unconditionally. Now, I dont want to spoil the ending but being the parent of a special needs child, the ending is totally unbelieveable. And I found myself sometimes confused and having to re-read a paragraph to get whether I was reading about Marnies past or her present. Other than that, its a nice pool side read. This book was provided to me for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

I recently received a copy of this book to review and was excited to read a book by Marlo Schalesky. This was the very first book of her that I have read so I went into it without any expectations and was quickly sucked into the life of the main character, Marnie.I laughed, I cried, I ached for Marnie and the journey that she was on. I picked up the book on a Tuesday afternoon on vacation and absolutely could not put it down. I was captivated by what might be coming next in the book, then by Wednesday night I finished the book. I had to sit there for about 15 minutes and just shake my head...wow, wow, wow!This book is not your typical Christian Fiction book, it's got twists, turns, and the most amazing ending I have ever read.You WILL enjoy this incredible book!

Shades of Morning by Marlo Schalesky is a surprising book that had me turning the pages. I find it kind of hard to categorize this book. It is certainly Christian fiction but it has an element of mystery and romance with an interesting plot twist. The characters have depth and the author lets you see the internal struggles they endure. It is a story of triumph and redemption where bringing the past to light has positive results. And it happens in a way that isn't too sugary or trite. My biggest complaint is that I had to read the entire book to be able to understand the main character, Marnie, and why she acts the way she does.

Wow! This book was amazingly straight to the heart, fill you with love, and make you turn each page in anticipation for the next. Quiet small town living. Leaving behind the sorrows and trying to live in today, but Marnie is missing something. Her past is not quiet passed her yet and is about to come full face to the present. Marnie is working in her coffee shop, living a drama free life. She soon hears from Attorney Taylor Cole. Taylor is much more than an attorney, he is Marnie's past. But tragedy has accured and her sister has been in an accident. Now, her son needs a home, and Emmit is being sent to Marnie. But what Marnie doesn't know yet is that Emmit, a fifteen year old boy has Downs Syndrome. Is she up for the challenge?Emmit brings so much into Marnie's life. Ready or not, her life is about to change forever and in a wonderful way.You will fall in love with Emmit. We are able to watch Marnie and Taylor transform from their pasts to bright futures filled with a love they didn't know possible. This book contains so much more than the back cover. It has twists and turns for you to follow, and in the end when it all comes together you will be surprised. It holds a beautiful ending and carries within it much faith, a faith these characters search for. They are trying to leave the pasts, but they cannot without coming to terms with the truth of yesterday. Shades of Morning is one of those keepers to read again on a rainy day to bring some sunshine in your life. Within the shade of the morning is where we find a quiet beauty we don't really realize we need until we are there under the shade of the sun. This book carries such warm characters and the story line is simply beautiful. This one will bless you beyond words as you close that last page. We see how God makes everything complete in His time, and along the journey He gives us what we need to shine.This book was a gift from Multnomah Waterbrook Press for it's review.

Marlo Schalesky won my heart with Beyond the Night the first book I ever read of hers. Shades of Morning stole my heart again and I fell in love with it from the start. Marlo writes with creativity and has the ability to take unusual, sensitive topics and create a story you can get lost in. Shades of Morning revolves around Emmit, a boy with Downs Syndrome and the aunt who unexpectedly gains custody of him, when his mother dies. This is a story of lost love, regrets, second chances and the courage to start over. Its also a story about God giving us gifts in unexpected ways we sometimes cant recognize.This is one book you wont want to miss out on!